Azadirachta indica

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

  • Botanical Name : Azadirachta indica A. Juss.
  • Common Name : Limbdo, Neem, Margosa
  • Plant Family : Meliaceae
  • Plant Form : Tree
  • Occurrence (Sectors) : Everywhere

About Azadirachta indica Plant :

  • Habit : A tall tree.
  • Stem : The bark is dark greyish on the outside and reddish brown inside, and has numerous oblique furrows.
  • Leaves : Alternate, exstipulate, compound, imparipinnate; 7 - 15 shortly stalked pinnae are lanceolate, oblique, serrate, acuminate, unicostate reticulate.
  • Inflorescence : Axillary panicle
  • Flowers :
    • Bracteate, actinomorphic, hermaphrodite, complete, hypogynous, scented, disciferous.
    • Calyx made up of 5 sepals, gamosepalous, light green, valvate.
    • Corolla made up of 5 petals, polypetalous, imbricate.
    • An annular disc present between petals and stamens.
    • Androecium made up of 10, or 8 - 12 monadelphous, filaments unite to form a staminal tube seated at the base of annular disc, anthers dithecous, introrse.
    • Gynoecium tricarpellary, syncarpous, superior, trilocular, two ovules in each locule, axile placentation, style simple, stigma trifid.
  • Fruit : Drupe
  • Seed : Fruit one - seeded.
  • Flowering and Fruiting time : February - June, March - August
  • Significance :
    • All parts are bitter and are used for various purpose.
    • Twigs are used to brush teeth.
    • The bark and leaves have medicinal properties.
    • The neem oil is used in creams, hair lotions and soaps.
    • The dried leaves are used to prevent insects and pests.